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Judges ignored testimonies from defense witnesses: Lawyer
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Suspect Jessica Kumala Wongso is consoled by her lawyers after judges read her verdict at her verdict at the Central Jakarta Court on Oct. 27. Jessica was sentenced by the judges to 20 years in prison for the premeditated murder of Wayan Mirna Salihin by putting cyanide in her coffee. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he head of Jessica Kumala Wongso’s legal team has expressed his disappointment over the verdict handed down to his client at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday, after judges found Jessica guilty of murder and sentenced her to 20 years in prison.
“The judges’ considerations behind Jessica’s sentence were not based on the facts stated in court,” Otto Hasibuan said after Thursday’s hearing, adding that the judges had ignored testimonies made by defense witnesses.
Otto referred to testimonies made by Australian forensic pathologist Beng Beng Ong and Djaja Surya Atmadja, who believed that Mirna’s death was not caused by cyanide poisoning.
Otto criticized Judge Binsar Gultom, saying that he was not allowed to show sentiment while reading the verdict. "Judge Binsar showed clear sentiment regarding Jessica while he read the verdict. Judges can't do that, they have to be wise and prudent," Otto said.
Previously, Binsar said Jessica had pretended to cry while reading her defense. He also questioned why Jessica had been wearing eyeglasses in the last weeks of the trial.
He also believed that Jessica had carefully planned the murder of Mirna on Jan. 6 at Olivier Café in the Grand Indonesia mall by putting cyanide into her coffee. Mirna died on her way to the hospital from the café.
“Jessica would have seen if anyone moved the glass […] she would have even seen a fly perch on that glass of coffee. This is why she was anxious while waiting for Mirna in the cafe, as can be seen in the CCTV footage," said Binsar.
Binsar also accused Jessica of being a liar and said her crying during the defense statement was just a performance.
The murder case received wide public attention since the beginning of the police investigation, particularly because investigators failed to find any eyewitnesses who had seen Jessica put the poison into the coffee. This was why prosecutors returned the case dossier to the police four times before finally accepting it.
Throughout the trial the courtroom was packed with Mirna’s relatives and members of the public curious about the case. Several television stations also broadcast live transmissions of the court hearings. (bbn)
